UX Designer

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer

Company: Szallas Group

Location: Budapest (HU), Cluj-Napoca (RO), Constanța (RO), Miskolc (HU), Liberec (CZ), Lublin (PL), Warsaw (PL)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product & Design Operations

Date Posted: 2026-07-31

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid or Remote (occasional office presence required)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead comprehensive, end-to-end UX design initiatives for digital travel products serving millions across Central and Eastern Europe.

• Drive user experience improvements by translating user needs, data insights, and market benchmarks into actionable design solutions.

• Foster a culture of research and continuous learning within product development teams, ensuring data-informed design decisions.

• Collaborate closely with product managers, designers, and analysts to identify opportunities and prioritize design efforts.

• Advocate for user-centric design principles throughout the product development lifecycle, from discovery to implementation and presentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Product & Design Operations, indicating a focus on the process of design and its integration with business objectives, rather than purely aesthetic design. The emphasis on end-to-end ownership, data translation, and stakeholder management suggests a need for strong operational and strategic thinking within the UX discipline.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Spearhead the entire design lifecycle for new features and product enhancements, encompassing user research, conceptualization, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing.

• Conduct user research, including surveys and interviews, to gather insights into traveler and partner needs, informing design strategy and product roadmaps.

• Analyze quantitative data and market benchmarks to identify pain points and opportunities for UX improvement, translating findings into compelling design solutions.

• Develop high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes that effectively communicate design intent and user flows to product stakeholders and development teams.

• Facilitate design reviews and present design proposals to a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, product managers, and engineering teams, adapting communication style to audience.

• Collaborate with product managers and analysts to define project scope, prioritize features, and ensure designs align with business objectives and technical feasibility.

• Support the implementation of designs by providing clear specifications and working closely with developers to ensure accurate execution and a high-quality user experience.

• Champion a data-driven approach to UX design, advocating for A/B testing and post-launch analysis to measure design impact and identify areas for iterative improvement.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes and methodologies within an agile development environment.

• Actively participate in cross-functional team meetings, fostering a collaborative environment and ensuring alignment on design goals and user experience vision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on the "operations" aspect of UX design, focusing on process ownership, data integration, stakeholder management, and end-to-end project leadership, which is critical for a role in a fast-paced travel-tech company.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, or a related field is often preferred for foundational understanding of user-centered design principles. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered. Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on experience in UX design.

• At least 1 year of UX design experience specifically within a B2C e-commerce environment is highly desirable.

• Experience in the Online Travel Agency (OTA) digital products or online services sector is a significant advantage.

• Proven track record of successfully designing and implementing digital products that have been launched and are in use.

• Experience managing end-to-end design projects, from initial scoping and user research through to final implementation and presentation. Required Skills:

• UX Design: Proficiency in the full spectrum of UX design processes, including user research, journey mapping, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Portfolio: A strong portfolio showcasing at least 1-2 detailed case studies of implemented designs for online services, demonstrating problem-solving skills and design impact.

• Data Analysis: Basic knowledge of analyzing quantitative data to inform design decisions and measure effectiveness.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to build trust, communicate effectively, and influence decisions with stakeholders at various levels.

• Agile Methodology: Experience working within an agile development framework, collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• Communication: Fluent in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex ideas clearly and concisely.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with product managers, engineers, analysts, and other stakeholders.

Preferred Skills:

• OTA/E-commerce Experience: Direct experience designing for online travel agencies or B2C e-commerce platforms.

• Prototyping Tools: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision).

• User Research Techniques: Experience with a variety of qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies.

• Market Benchmarking: Ability to leverage market trends and competitor analysis to inform design strategy.

• Additional Languages: Fluency in any Central and Eastern European (CEE) languages is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a "Proven track record in creating already implemented designs" and a portfolio with "1-2 case studies demonstrating your designs" emphasizes the practical, results-oriented nature of this role. Candidates should focus on showcasing projects where their design directly led to measurable outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio is mandatory, featuring detailed case studies that clearly articulate the design process, challenges faced, solutions implemented, and tangible outcomes.

• Each case study should demonstrate end-to-end project ownership, from initial problem definition and user research to final design implementation and post-launch impact analysis.

• Showcase a range of design artifacts, including user flows, wireframes, interactive prototypes, and final UI designs, explaining the rationale behind key decisions.

• Clearly highlight how user needs and business objectives were balanced, and how data (quantitative or qualitative) informed the design process.

• Demonstrate an understanding of agile development processes and how designs were facilitated for implementation. Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to have experience in documenting design processes, including user research methodologies, design decision-making frameworks, and collaboration protocols.

• The ability to translate complex design concepts into clear, actionable specifications for development teams is crucial.

• Familiarity with iterative design processes, including the incorporation of feedback from user testing and data analysis into design refinements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "already implemented designs" and "end-to-end design initiatives" means the portfolio should not just be a collection of mockups, but a narrative of successful product development driven by UX expertise. For operations-minded candidates, this means showcasing how they managed the design process to achieve business goals.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The salary for a UX Designer with 3-5 years of experience in Central and Eastern Europe can vary significantly by location and specific company compensation structures. Based on industry benchmarks for roles requiring a blend of design expertise and operational understanding in tech companies across these regions, an estimated range would be:

• €35,000 - €55,000 per year (gross)

This estimate is derived from analyzing typical salary ranges for mid-level UX Designers in major tech hubs within Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Romania, considering factors like cost of living, demand for UX talent, and the specific responsibilities outlined. Actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the negotiated terms.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: A salary package designed to attract and retain top talent in the region.

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to work from home with occasional office presence, balancing remote work with in-person collaboration.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options for flexible hours to accommodate personal needs and promote work-life balance.

• Health and Wellness Programs: Access to comprehensive health benefits and wellness initiatives.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, including training, workshops, and potential conference attendance to enhance UX and operational skills.

• Travel Perks: As a leading travel-tech company, employees may benefit from discounted travel opportunities or other travel-related advantages.

• International Work Environment: Opportunity to work with a diverse, international team across multiple CEE countries.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week.

• The role offers flexibility in scheduling, aligning with agile team rhythms and individual work preferences, while ensuring consistent availability for team collaboration and meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on aggregated data from reputable job boards and salary comparison sites for UX Designer roles in the specified European regions. The provided range accounts for the mid-level experience requirement and the competitive nature of the travel-tech industry.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Travel Technology (Online Travel Agency - OTA)

Szallas Group operates within the dynamic and competitive online travel sector. This industry demands constant innovation, a keen understanding of user behavior, and the ability to adapt quickly to market changes and technological advancements. As an OTA, the company plays a crucial role in connecting travelers with accommodations and services across Central and Eastern Europe.

Company Size: 500+ Employees

With over 500 professionals, Szallas Group is a significant player in the regional travel-tech landscape. This size indicates a stable organization with established processes but also one that likely fosters a dynamic, growth-oriented environment. For operations professionals, it means opportunities for structured career paths, cross-functional collaboration on a larger scale, and the chance to influence processes across various departments.

Founded: The company was founded with a vision to simplify travel across Central and Eastern Europe. Its establishment date, while not explicitly stated, implies a history of growth and adaptation, building a strong foundation in the online travel market. This longevity suggests a robust business model and a commitment to long-term development.

Team Structure:

• Product & Design Department: The UX Designer will be part of a dedicated product and design team, likely comprising Product Managers, other UX/UI Designers, and Data Analysts.

• Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Head of Product, indicating a clear line of accountability and strategic oversight.

• **Cross-functional